There is some confusion surrounding reports that Rangers have had a bid rejected for Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Malik Tillman.
Reputable German outlet Kicker is claiming that the Bavarian giants have knocked back a £5m (€6m) approach for the USA international from Ibrox.
This is despite the Gers having what has previously been described as an “exclusive option to buy” for the 20-year-old Bundesliga talent.
Rangers have been clear that they would like to sign Malik Tillman – who won the PFA Scotland and Rangers Young Player of the Year awards – on a permanent deal this summer but this is the first reports of an official bid.
What’s more, the claims that Rangers have had the bid rejected, despite previously holding an option on Malik Tillman, will be of interest to Ibrox supporters.
If Rangers have an option on the player then surely it stands to reason that they can exercise but if Bayern have rejected it then it either must have little weight or have expired.
Rangers ‘have bid rejected’ for Bayern’s Malik Tillman
This is something the midfielder himself alluded to when pressed on potential Rangers interest, with Malik Tillman clear before any bid that the decision would be up to him.
“I’ve spoken to Michael Beale already and he said, ‘Just take your time. It’s your decision’. That’s what I’m going to do,” Tillman said.
“The option is until the beginning of June or something so I still have three or four weeks to decide. I’m going to take my time because obviously it’s a big decision for me.
“It is still open. I am going to talk to Michael Beale in the coming days and see what he is saying and what the club is saying. Then I am going to speak to Bayern again and see what their plan is for me. And then I am going to decide.”
We’re well into June now, so all we can suspect is that Rangers have missed the deadline to complete a deal or that Malik Tillman took too long to make a decision with the Ibrox bid on the table.
Coincidentally, the two men who signed off on the deal last summer, Ross Wilson at Rangers and Hasan Salihamidzic of Bayern, have both the left the respective clubs.
Malik Tillman has also been the subject of recent reports linking the attacking midfielder with a move to the Premier League, amid claims two of the division’s clubs are interested in the player.
